Federal Judges Discuss Recent Death Penalty Cases at Seattle Event

Volume VIssue 2

By
Becca Eden

Staff Attorney

On May 18, 2012, the Project attended a breakfast meeting to discuss the importance of effective representation in death penalty cases at the William Kenzo Nakamura United States Courthouse in Seattle, Washington. Judge Richard C. Tallman, ofthe U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, and Ricardo S. Martinez, of the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Washington (pictured, right), were joined by more than 30 attorneys and advocates from the Seattle area and Project Director Robin M. Maher.

The discussion focused on recent decisions by the U.S. Supreme Court concerning the effectiveness of counsel in death penalty and other criminal cases. The judges discussed the consequences of these decisions and their personal observations about the performance of defense counsel in death penalty trials and in state post-conviction proceedings. Volunteer attorneys Gwendolyn C. Payton, of Lane Powell PC, and Joanne M. Hepburn, of K&L Gates LLP, spoke about their experiences representing clients on death row.

Special thanks to the Federal Bar Association of the Western District of Washington for co-sponsoring the event!